Tag: real joy

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Real Joy – Part 2

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Yesterday we asked the question of why we struggle with being content. While there is a plethora of possible answers, there is one answer that over-shadows all – we fail to realize the power of the resurrection in our lives. I’m sure St. Paul didn’t enjoy being in jail, or beaten, or shipwrecked, but he knew a secret that brought joy even in such dire circumstances.

Few of us are jailed, beaten or shipwrecked, but we can’t even find contentment when our biggest problems are thinking, “Why can’t I have what they have?” Or perhaps, “Why did this situation happen to me? I’m a good person!” What’s wrong with these scenarios is they fail to recognize the blessing God has given to be who we are, where we are, and with what we have. For most of history, most of humanity has lived poor and with great suffering. Compared to those, even the poor of today are rich, and in the Western modern world we hardly know what real suffering is all about.

However, into all our doubt and pity, the Word of God comes to us with the secret to being content. Paul said the secret is to know that Christ and the power of His resurrection is our strength in any and all situations. Only His power can deliver us from our selfish desires, and self-pity. The good news today is that that power is available to all who believe, to all who will reach out and call upon His name. We can do ALL things through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

So, how do we live in this power every day? By living lives full of gratitude for the life we’ve been given – it could always be worse. When we are grateful for the life we have, and we call upon the name of Jesus when things get tough, then we live in the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy:

“…no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”

Are you there yet? Have you found real joy in all circumstances? Many days I’m not either, but I want to be, and I bet you do too. So today, forgetting what’s behind us, and thankful for the breath we have and the life we live, let’s move forward calling on the name of the Lord, and remember, Christ is risen…and so are we!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Almighty God, forgive me for my times of doubt and selfishness. Help me to live in the power and name of Jesus Christ my savior, and the power of His resurrection. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: http://citychapeloc.com/real-joy/

 

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Real Joy – Part 1

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Philippians 4:10-11

Just what does contentment look like anyway? The idea of being content is central to the Christian faith, or at least it’s supposed to be according to scripture. We’re called to be content with who we are, where we are, and what we have. But how many of us really are content in any of those areas? Why is all this so important? Because when we find the secret of being content, then we find real joy.

St. Paul apparently was content with all his circumstances by the time of the writing of the Philippian letter, which is amazing considering he was writing from a jail cell having been wrongly accused. In today’s devotional we need to take a long look in the mirror and ask ourselves just how content we really are. Our culture, by all indicators, suggests very few of us are actually content. Consumerism is rampant! We seem to always want something newer, bigger, and better than what we have.

About now some of you are asking the question we all do from time to time; “What’s wrong with wanting something new and better”. Well, the real answer is nothing is ‘wrong’ with it, but when our desire to have something newer, bigger, and better impedes our joy and contentment in what we have and who we are, then something is wrong – we’re really not thankful for what we have. We could always have something less, and believe me many people do.

For today, perhaps it’s enough for us to contemplate our level of contentment, or lack thereof? Tomorrow we will discuss the secret of being St. Paul learned of how to be content, and how we can learn it as well. So, as you contemplate how thankful you are for who you are and what you have, remember Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Father God, show me who I am to you, and reveal to me who it is you want me to be as your child. Convict me of any thanklessness I am showing in my life. Teach me how to be content in you. Amen. Alleluia!

Image Credit: http://citychapeloc.com/real-joy/